Background
Project Centre conducted a comprehensive review of collision data in the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) in response to rising road safety concerns. This analysis particularly focused on the safety of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and children, amid increasing casualty rates that mirrored trends seen across Greater London.
In alignment with the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) and the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (2018), LBWF aimed to develop a comprehensive Road Safety Plan, emphasising the need to improve road safety, reduce casualties, and foster safer transport environments. Legislative frameworks, including the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, guided these efforts.
Process
Project Centre’s analysis of various collision trends over five years. The review revealed critical insights:
- Collision trends: Although overall collision and casualty rates were stabilising, a significant spike in serious injuries was recorded from 2016 to 2017.
- Child safety: The data indicated an alarming increase in child collisions, predominantly involving pedestrians, requiring immediate intervention.
- Cyclist safety: In contrast, cyclist collisions decreased markedly between 2016 and 2017. This improvement was validated through statistical analysis, suggesting a genuine enhancement in the risk environment for cyclists.
- Specific user modes: The review examined motorcyclist and bus passenger safety, noting a stable casualty rate for motorcyclists. Bus passenger casualties were on the rise, despite a decline in overall bus usage across London.
The analysis identified 25 high-risk routes, 20 critical links, and 20 junctions necessitating urgent intervention.
Outcome
Our findings review provided LBWF with a clear roadmap to enhance road safety and contribute to the overarching Vision Zero initiative. This is aimed at eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on London’s roads.
The review resulted in recommendations for targeted interventions, including:
- Targeted interventions: Immediate investigation and treatment for critical areas, with a focus on high casualty sites involving vulnerable road users.
- Monitoring framework: Establishing a comprehensive system for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of road safety initiatives to track progress.
- Policy alignment: Ensuring the Road Safety Plan aligns with both local and international best practices. While facilitating an integrated approach to road safety across London.
The Council aimed to reduce casualties for vulnerable road users by enhancing safety measures across critical routes, links, and junctions. Specific user groups, including children and pedestrians, were prioritised in future iterations.
Ongoing programmes like the Mini-Holland initiative and the implementation of 20mph zones reflect LBWF’s commitment to improving safety for all road users.
Project Centre has been working with Waltham Forest for over a decade, supporting the Council in fostering safer communities and creating a secure transport network that meets the needs of all users.
